Description
Sweet and spiced carrot cake bars bring nostalgic comfort to dessert lovers. Moist layers of warm cinnamon, cream cheese frosting, and tender carrots combine for an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Frosting and Optional Add-ins:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ¼ cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by lining an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal. Set the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for optimal baking conditions.
- Sift together all dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, combining flour, leavening agents, aromatic spices, and seasoning. Whisk thoroughly to distribute spices and prevent clumping.
- In a separate large bowl, vigorously blend eggs with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly pale, creating a rich foundational texture.
- Incorporate vegetable oil and pure vanilla extract into the sugar-egg mixture, stirring until the liquid ingredients are completely integrated and form a uniform consistency.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, using minimal strokes to prevent overworking the batter. Introduce freshly grated carrots, optional chopped nuts, and raisins, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a level surface for consistent baking.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove from oven and allow the carrot cake bars to cool completely within the pan, which helps set the texture and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Choose room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking of the carrot cake bars.
- Grate carrots fresh for maximum moisture and natural sweetness, avoiding pre-shredded packaged carrots which can be dry.
- Pat grated carrots with paper towels to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy bars and maintaining ideal texture.
- Swap vegetable oil with applesauce or mashed bananas for a lower-fat version that keeps the bars wonderfully moist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg